Episode 5 - The Pandemic & Life of Uncertainty (2021)

Life had settled into a new rhythm when the world changed.

By the end of 2019, uncertainties began to emerge. Then came COVID-19 and everything shifted. Studios closed, travel halted and routines we once took for granted disappeared.

March 2020 brought lockdowns and life felt fragile, unpredictable and surreal. 

The world was paused but the challenges and fears were very real;  health, economy and the countless lives lost. 

Yoga became a quiet refuge. While I could not teach in person, online sessions and mindful practice kept some connection alive - for me and for my students.

By October 2021, restrictions eased. Studios reopened, travel resumed and slowly life regained some rhythm. 

Yet the lessons of uncertainty lingered. We had witnessed the fragility of life, the value of resilience and the importance of gratitude.

This chapter was a reminder that survival itself is a gift and that even amidst global upheaval, our inner practice can anchor us, guide us and connect us to what truly matters.

Reflection: Even amidst global chaos, I realize how, small moments of practice, mindfulness and connection kept me grounded and grateful.

Episode 4 — The Leap & New Life (2017)

After the quiet, reflective months of grief and healing, a new chapter began. 

By the end of February 2017, I finally left the corporate world. 

On 1st March, waking up without the familiar rush of office life felt surreal…almost unreal. It took me nearly a month to adjust, to feel grounded in this new rhythm.

But with time, freedom and clarity, I stepped fully into being a full-time yoga teacher. I secured a studio, began teaching and discovered that my classes were well received. 

There was joy in guiding students through poses, in witnessing their progress and in sharing the practice that had carried me through so much.

This period was more than just career change. It was learning to trust my intuition, embracing uncertainty and stepping into a life aligned with my passion. 

The leaps felt big but the rewards…fulfillment, connection and purpose were immeasurable! 

Reflection: Reading this today, I feel the courage it took to leap and the joy that came from trusting my passion and intuition.

EPISODE 3 - THE CALLING & LOSS (2015-2016)

2015 brought a turning point, both joyful and deeply painful.

In March, I began my Yoga Teacher Training. For three intense months, I immersed myself in the practice…learning, stretching, breathing and discovering the deeper dimensions of yoga. 

Those sessions taught me discipline, patience and the joy of opening myself to growth. 

By June, I had completed my 200-hour YTT certification…ready to step into teaching.

Yet, life had another challenge waiting for me. On 18th July 2015, my beloved sister passed away. The grief hit me like a tidal wave. On one hand, I had to be strong for my mom, making sure she was okay. On the other, I was trying to navigate my own heartbreak. The world felt heavy, and the joy I had just discovered in yoga seemed distant at times.

During those months, I stopped blogging. 

Words that once flowed freely, felt impossible. There were days when even standing on the mat felt like a struggle. And yet, even in that dark pit, yoga quietly stayed with me…the breaths, the postures, the mindfulness. They became small anchors, subtle reminders that life continues and healing is a process.

By the end of 2016, I found a way to slowly return to writing. 

It was not about perfection or progress anymore….it was about honoring the journey, including the hard, silent parts. Those pauses, though painful, shaped my perspective and strengthened my resolve to live fully, teach authentically and embrace the uncertainties that life brings.

Reflection: I remember the grief and silence and I honor the strength it took to keep going. Those months shaped me in ways words cannot fully capture.

EPISODE 2 — SEARCHING & STRENGTH (2012)

By 2012, my writings became deeper. 

There were days when I felt lost, tired and stuck in the darkness of my own thoughts. I would search for answers, cry and sometimes feel defeated.

Yet, even in that emotional turbulence, I made a conscious choice… to rise again. 

I wrote about forgiveness, letting go of resentment and how holding onto anger only weighs you down.

These early reflections were the foundation of a lesson I would carry through life; even when the path feels unclear…resilience, awareness and conscious effort guide us toward growth.

Reflection: Looking back, I see how even in moments of doubt, I was learning resilience… a foundation that would carry me forward.

EPISODE 1 — THE YOUNGER ME (2011)

Reading my old writings from years ago made me smile, laugh and sometimes pause. Some were funny, some emotional, some dramatic … but always honest.

Back in 2011, I imagined God bowling during thunderstorms…lightning was His strike, thunder the angels’ applause and the rain? 

A little sad when He missed! Even then, I was turning fear into imagination and finding comfort in playfulness.

I also wrote small, earnest prayers…asking for help with my diet, hoping to resist temptation and promising myself to exercise. 

And yet, I also had my fears of darkness, uncertainty and the things I could not see. Writing about them helped me process these small, quiet anxieties.

Reflection: Reading this now, I smile at my younger self…playful, curious and already searching for comfort and meaning in small ways.

A SMALL BOUQUET, A BIG HEART

Yesterday, I reconnected with my niece after a few months. We shared a late lunch, laughed together and caught up on life. 

She surprised me with a small bouquet of flowers, such a simple gesture, yet it touched me deeply.

It reminded me that love doesn’t always arrive in grand declarations. Sometimes it comes quietly, wrapped in petals and held out with care. 

Seeing her thoughtfulness, her love and the changes in her ie responsible, caring, soft-spoken and still fun, filled my heart.

Her text afterward said:

‘Aww…enjoy the bunch atteh! They remind me of you”.

I smiled. She’s a mirror of me in many ways; rebellious yet loving, independent yet tender. 

Holding these flowers, I felt both light and full at the same time. It’s a beautiful reminder that even after distance, love finds its way back, softly, naturally and meaningfully.

And quietly, I feel hope. 

Hope for her journey ahead, hope for the lessons she has embraced and hope that she will continue to grow into the caring, compassionate person I always knew she could be. ❤️

DINNER, BRIYANI & BLONDE LEFFE

I started the evening thinking, ‘’There’s no way I can eat another bite,’’ yet somehow, three hours later, I found myself diving into fish biryani, sharing pani puri and ending with a Blonde Leffe. Food coma? What food coma?” 🤣🤣🤣

End of February evening was a little adventure in itself, starting from “I’m too full for dinner” mode.

After biscuits and coffee earlier, I was already feeling… a bit stuffed. Honestly, I questioned how I’d even touch a full dinner later. But sometimes, life surprises you and hunger has a way of showing up at just the right moment.

The expat gathering began with familiar smiles and chatter. The table was colorful, aromatic, and tempting! @Tasty Chapati

• Tenggiri fish dum biryani, served with boiled egg, dal and a spinach cream sauce
• Pani puri, six pieces shared among us, playful and messy in the best way

Every bite reminded me that food isn’t just nourishment…it’s shared experience, laughter and small indulgence. Even my “full” stomach seemed willing to make room for these delights.

After dinner, we adjourned to a German pub next door. I hadn’t had alcohol in weeks, but curiosity and camaraderie called for a tiny detour. The recommendation was a Blonde Leffe Beer.

The first sip was… interesting, like beer mixed with stout, smooth yet slightly surprising. One glass was all I needed…intentional, savored and fully present. No rush, no overindulgence, just a small, mindful celebration of the evening.

Reflecting on the night, I realize how small moments matter…

• Sharing pani puri, laughing at little spills
• Savoring biryani with friends
• Trying something new without overdoing it

Even in indulgence, there’s calm, awareness and a little joy. Life doesn’t have to be extreme to be memorable.

And yes… I thought to myself …..tomorrow, the diet begins…and it never did! 😂